Ammunition Magazine Retention Device

ABSTRACT

A magazine retention device includes an attachment pouch and an insert. The attachment pouch includes a front panel, a rear panel opposing the front panel, and an attachment portion. The front panel is secured to the rear panel forming a cavity between the front panel and the rear panel. The attachment portion is configured to attach to a carrier. The insert is disposed within the cavity and secured to the attachment pouch. The insert has an first region and a second region. The first region includes a rectangular opening configured to receive a magazine. The second region includes one or more walls that bias toward a center of the cavity. Here, the one or more walls bias in contact with a received magazine.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to an ammunition magazine retention device.

BACKGROUND

Carrying equipment for military and enforcement personnel has taken manyforms over the years. These forms have evolved to take advantage ofdevelopments such as lightweight materials and new designs. For example,basic cotton canvas rucksacks evolved to nylon load carrying equipment(LCE). Where possible, designs modified hardware from brass and steel toaluminum and plastic. Load carrying equipment included new formsresembling a belt and suspenders with attachments for ammunition cases,canteens, tools, first-aid, etc. Different models incorporated snapfasteners and hook and loop fasteners for quick-release functionality.Attachments snapped to snap fastening eyelets. Load carrying equipmentbecame all-purpose lightweight individual carrying equipment (ALICE) andsubsequently modular lightweight load carrying equipment (MOLLE).Carrying equipment integrated the pouch attachment ladder system (PALS)with a grid of nylon webbing sewn into tactical gear, such as backpacksand modular tactical vests. With the pouch attachment ladder system,attachments could be interwoven into the webbing grid; allowing bothattachment and detachment with relative ease.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a magazine retention device. Themagazine retention device includes an attachment pouch and an insert.The attachment pouch includes a front panel, a rear panel opposing thefront panel, and an attachment portion. The front panel is secured tothe rear panel forming a cavity between the front panel and the rearpanel. The attachment portion is configured to attach to a carrier. Insome examples, the attachment portion may be a webbing strap compatiblewith a pouch attachment ladder system (PALS). In some implementations,the carrier may be a modular lightweight load carrying equipment (MOLLE)garment. The insert is disposed within the cavity and secured to theattachment pouch. The insert has an upper region and a lower region. Theupper region includes a rectangular opening configured to receive amagazine. The lower region includes one or more walls that bias toward acenter of the cavity. Here, the one or more walls bias in contact with areceived magazine.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing optional features. In some implementations, the rectangularopening of the insert is collapsible when the insert is empty. In someexamples, the insert includes a biasing member wrapped around the lowerregion of the insert. In some configurations, the rear panel includes anouter wall with a securement surface. Here, the insert may be attachedto the securement surface when the insert is disposed within the cavity.In some examples, the attachment pouch includes a drainage port. Inthese examples, the insert may include a bottom wall with a hole wherethe hole aligns with the drainage port of the attachment pouch.

Optionally, the insert may be formed from a folded thermoplasticmaterial. When formed from a folded thermoplastic material, the insertmay include a front insert panel and a rear insert panel. Here, thefront insert panel and the rear insert panel are folded and secured toeach other by one or more fasteners. Additionally or alternatively, whenthe insert is formed from a folded thermoplastic material, the foldedthermoplastic material may be cut by a laser cutter from a unitarysheet.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides an insert for a magazine. Theinsert includes a front wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, arear wall, and a bottom wall. The first sidewall is connected to thefront wall and extends from an upper walled region to a lower walledregion. Here, the upper walled region includes an opening defining acavity to receive the magazine while the lower walled region supports anend of the received magazine. The second sidewall is connected to thefront wall opposite the first sidewall and extends from the upper walledregion to the lower walled region. The rear wall opposes the front walland secures to each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall in theupper walled region. The bottom wall opposes the opening defining thecavity and perpendicularly secures to each of the first sidewall, thefront wall, and the rear wall. In the upper walled region, the openingdefining the cavity is rectangular shaped and formed by the front wall,the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the rear wall.

This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features.In some implementations, each of the front wall, the first sidewall, thesecond sidewall, the rear wall, and the bottom wall is formed from apliable thermoplastic material. In some configurations, at least one ofthe front wall or the rear wall taper from the upper walled region tothe bottom wall in the lower walled region. Optionally, the rectangularshaped opening is collapsible when the insert is empty.

In some examples, the front wall, the first sidewall, and the secondsidewall are formed by folding a first thermoplastic panel and the rearwall and bottom wall are formed by folding a second thermoplastic panel.In these examples, the first thermoplastic panel may be secured to thesecond thermoplastic panel by one or more fasteners. Moreover, in theseexamples, the insert may further include a biasing member wrapped aroundthe first thermoplastic panel and the second thermoplastic panel. Herethe biasing member biases the first sidewall and the second sidewalltowards the cavity.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, the disclosure provides amethod for forming the magazine retention device. The method includesreceiving a fabric front panel, a fabric rear panel, and a pliablethermoplastic insert. Here, the fabric rear panel includes an attachmentportion configured to attach to a carrier. The insert includes a frontwall, a first concave sidewall, a second concave sidewall, a rear wall,and a bottom wall. The first concave sidewall is connected to the frontwall and extends from an upper walled region to a lower walled region.Here, the upper walled region includes an opening defining a cavitywithin the pliable thermoplastic insert configured to receive themagazine while the lower walled region supports an end of the receivedmagazine. The second concave sidewall is connected to the front wallopposite the first concave sidewall and extends from the upper walledregion to the lower walled region. The rear wall opposes the front walland secures to each of the first concave sidewall and the second concavesidewall in the upper walled region. The bottom wall opposes the openingdefining the cavity within the pliable thermoplastic insert andperpendicularly secures to each of the first concave sidewall, the frontwall, and the rear wall. In the upper walled region, the openingdefining the cavity within the pliable thermoplastic insert isrectangular shaped and formed by the front wall, the first concavesidewall, the second concave sidewall, and the rear wall. The methodalso includes securing the fabric front panel to the fabric rear panelto form a pocket between the fabric front panel and the fabric nearpanel. The method further includes removably attaching the pliablethermoplastic insert to inner walls of the pocket formed between thefabric front panel and the fabric rear panel.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otheraspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example protective garment with amagazine retention device.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of example magazine retentiondevices.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example insert for the magazineretention device.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are plane views of example cut patterns for an insert ofthe magazine retention device.

FIGS. 4C and 4D are front and rear views of examples of cut patternsassembled into an insert of the magazine retention device.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for forming a magazine retentiondevice.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of example inserts as the magazineretention device.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an example of a protective garment environment 10. In someimplementations, the protective garment environment 10 includes a wearer20 and a carrier 100. Here, the carrier 100 includes a tactical vest 110and a cummerbund 120. Yet generally, a carrier 100 is a doffable anddonable wearable that is configured for load bearing equipment (e.g., amodular lightweight load carrying equipment (MOLLE) garment). Thecarrier 100 may include any or all articles of clothing such as a vest,suspenders, a belt (e.g., a cummerbund), sleeves, shoulder pads, shorts,pants, a jacket, backpack, etc.

In some examples, the wearable carrier 100 is ballistic resilient. Here,a ballistic resilient carrier 100 refers to a carrier 100 designed toimpede (e.g., reduce) ballistic penetration (e.g., from bullets,shrapnel, or other penetrating objects). To impede ballisticpenetration, the carrier 100 may be formed from various combinations offlexible material including various woven, non-woven, synthetic, and/ornatural fibers. These fibers may collectively define a layer of flexiblematerial (e.g., a layer of fabric). In some implementations, theflexible material includes a polymeric substance (e.g., a rubber orother elastomer). In some examples, multiple layers of flexible material(e.g., fabric) are used to construct the carrier 100. Multiple layersmay be used for the flexible material to increase strength, reducefraying, or in certain circumstances contribute stiffness to theflexible material. For instance, at least one layer of a multi-layerconstruction of the flexible material includes a coated layer (e.g.,spray coated, air knife coated, flexo-coated, gravure coated, immersioncoated, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, multi-layer assemblies maybe laminated together to form plies. In some implementations, a carrier100 may be constructed from multiple plies. In other examples, a singlelayer is used to construct the carrier 100. In some configurations,aramid fibers, such as Nomex®, Kevlar®, Twaron®, Technora®,ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethalene (e.g., Dyneema®), Nylon,Cordura®, etc. form the carrier 100 to enable ballistic resilience.

Referring to FIG. 1, the carrier 100 has a several attachment sites 130.Each attachment site 130 is an area where the wearer 20 may fasten atactical attachment to the carrier 100, such as ammunition cases,canteens, tools, first-aid, or other tactical equipment. For example,FIG. 1 depicts the carrier 100 with a magazine retention device 140 atthe attachment site 130. The carrier 100 may be designed such that anylocation or area on a surface of the carrier 100 may include anattachment site 130. In some examples, the carrier 100 includesadditional structures such as platforms, pouches, or pockets. Theseadditional structures may also include attachments sites 130 as part ofthe carrier 100. In some implementations, the additional structures arecompartments for armor inserts such as hard ballistic panels.

Depending on the configuration of the carrier 100, the attachment site130 may include different types of means for attachment. In someexamples, an attachment site 130 includes attachment slots. In otherimplementations, an attachment site 130 includes a grid of webbing(i.e., a pouch attachment ladder system (PALS)) to attach tacticalequipment such as the magazine retention device 140. In yet otherimplementations, the attachment site 130 includes a mix of bothattachment slots and webbing. Using either attachment slots or webbing,an attachment portion of tactical equipment may be secured to thecarrier 100. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the magazineretention device 140 includes an attachment portion that may be woveninto (i.e. enter) a first attachment slot or first strip of webbing andwoven out (i.e. exit) of a second attachment slot or second strip ofwebbing.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the magazine retention device 140generally includes an attachment pouch 200 with an insert 300 that iscapable of receiving a magazine 30. The attachment pouch 200 includes afront panel 210 and a rear panel 220. In some implementations, the frontpanel 210 is secured to the rear panel 220 (e.g., by stitching,adhesion, welding, etc.). For example, FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the frontpanel 210 and the rear panel 220 as fabric panels where the front panel210 is stitched to the rear panel 220 along a perimeter of the frontpanel 210 and/or rear panel 220. By securing the front panel 210 to therear panel 220, the pouch 200 forms a cavity 230 (or pocket) that isshaped to receive the insert 300. In order to form the cavity 230, thefront panel 210 is not completely secured to the rear panel 220 on allsides s such that the cavity 230 has an opening 232 to receive themagazine 30. For example, the front panel 210 is secured on three offour sides to rear panel 220.

In some implementations, the front panel 210 includes a hem 212 around arim of the front panel 210 at the opening 232 to the cavity 230. Here,the hem 212 may allow an edge of the front panel 210 at the opening 232to have increased strength to prevent damage or unraveling. For example,insertion and removal of a magazine 30 and/or insert 300 may expose theedge of the front panel 210 to additional stress. In someconfigurations, the edge of the front panel 210 at the opening 232 maybe reinforced on each side. In other words, the hem 212 may exist on theinside edge (i.e., the edge that faces the cavity 230) of the frontpanel 210 at the opening 232 and at the outside edge of the front panel210 at the opening 232.

In some examples, the front panel 210 includes a retaining band 214. Theretaining band 214 is configured to hold the front panel 210 in aparticular shape (e.g., in a U-shape against the rear panel 220). Insome examples, the retaining band 214 is an elastic band or fabricmaterial that allows the front panel 210 to expand or to contractdepending on the application. The retaining band 214 may be secured at afirst end 214 e ₁ to a first side s₁ of the rear panel 220 and at asecond end 214 e ₂ to a second side 52 of the rear panel 220 oppositethe first side s₁. By being secured at each end 214 e ₁, 214 e ₂, theretaining band 214 may collapse or expand during use. For example, in acollapsed state, the front panel 210 flattens towards the rear panel 220(e.g., the opening 232 closes or collapses). Conversely, when the pouch200 is not in the collapsed state, the stiffness or properties of theretaining band 214 may help retain the opening 232 of the cavity 230.For instance, when the retaining band 214 is elastic, a force on thefront panel 210 may collapse the opening 232, but once the force isremoved, the spring force from the elasticity of the retaining band 214reforms the opening 232 of the cavity 230. Although a location of theretaining band 214 may differ along a height 210 h of the front panel210, FIGS. 2A and 2B depict the retaining band 214 secured in an upperregion of the front panel 210 (e.g., beneath the hem 212).

In some configurations, the front panel 210 includes a securementportion 216. The securement portion 216 is configured such that othercomponents may be fastened or secured to the front panel 210 at thesecurement portion 216. For example, the securement portion 216 may be ahook or a loop fastener that allows a mating with a complimentary hookor loop fastener. In some examples, the securement portion 216 isconfigured to not interfere with the retaining band 214. For instance,as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the securement portion 216 is secured(e.g., stitched) to the front panel 210 to permit the retaining band 214to expand and to contract without impingement.

The front panel 210 may also include an outer surface 210 o and an innersurface 210 i. Here, the inner surface 210 i refers to the surface ofthe front panel 210 that faces the cavity 230 while the outer surface210 o faces away from the cavity 230. In some examples, these surfacesmay be made from different materials. For examples, the outer surface210 o is made from a woven fabric while the inner surface 210 i has asurface with increased grip or friction (e.g., surface roughness) tohelp retain the insert 300 in place within the cavity 230. This ishelpful because a magazine 30 may be inserted or removed from the insert300 and it is not desirable for the insert 300 to move with the magazine30 during insertion and removal.

In some implementations, the front panel 210 includes a hole or a drain218 (also referred to as a drainage port). With a hole or drain 218, thefront panel 210 may allow water or other debris to escape from beingtrapped in the cavity 230. For example, the front panel 210 includes agrommet (or open grommet-like rivet) near the third side 53 of the rearpanel 220. Here, the grommet has a center hole which functions as thedrain 218. Although only a single drain is mentioned, the pouch 200 mayhave any number of drains 218 or differently sized drains 218 tofacilitate the removal of debris or liquid.

In some examples, the rear panel 220 is formed from multiple layers.When the rear panel 220 is formed from multiple layers, the outersurface 220 o and the inner surface 220 i of the rear panel 220 may beformed from different materials. For instance, the outer surface 220 ofaces the front panel 210 and is formed as a securement surface. Becausethe inner walls of the cavity 230 are formed by the inner surface 210 iof the front panel 210 and the outer surface 220 o of the rear panel220, the outer surface 220 o as a securement surface secures a portionof the insert 300 to the inner walls of the cavity 230 to preventmovement of the insert 300 during insertion or removal of a magazine 30.In some examples, the securement surface is an area of hook or loopfastener in order to fasten the insert 300 directly to rear panel 220 atthe securement surface. Here, the securement surface may also allow theinsert 300 to be removable from the attachment pouch 200 once disposedwithin the cavity 230. Additionally or alternatively, the inner surface210 i of the front panel 210 may include a securement surface insteadof, or in addition to, the securement surface of the outer surface 220 oof the rear panel 220.

In some implementations, the rear panel 220 also includes attachmentportions 222. In some examples, such as FIGS. 2A and 2B, the attachmentportions 222, 222 a-b are straps of webbing for securing the pouch 200to, for example, a carrier 100. For instance, the attachment portions222 (e.g., 222 a-b) are a flat nylon webbing strap(s) compatible withPALS. In some configurations, the attachment portions 222 mayadditionally include hook or loop fasteners to help secure theattachment portions 222 to the carrier 100. Here, the attachmentportions 222 extend from a side s (e.g., a fourth side 54 or top side)of the rear panel 220. The attachment portions 222 may be a componentseparate from the rear panel 220 (e.g., sewn into the rear panel 220) orintegrated with the rear panel 220 (e.g., formed with the rear panel220).

In some examples, the inner surface 220 i of the rear panel 220 includeswebbing straps. When webbing straps are included on the inner surface220 i of the rear panel 220, the webbing straps may be used inconjunction with the attachment portions 222 and an attachment site 130of the carrier 100 to secure the pouch 200 to the carrier 100.

Referring further to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the magazine retention device 140includes an insert 300. The insert 300 generally includes a front wall302, a rear wall 304, sidewalls 306, 306 a-b, and a bottom wall 308. Theinsert 300 is formed to fit within the cavity 230 of the pouch 200. Inaddition to fitting within the cavity 230, the insert 300 has a generalshape to hold a magazine 30. In other words, the walls 302-308 of theinsert 300 may generally conform (e.g., reinforce) to the inner walls ofthe cavity 230 and maintain an opening (or cavity) between the walls302-308 with space to store a magazine 30. In order to hold the magazine30, the insert 300 has an upper region 310 (also referred to as an upperwalled region) and a lower region 320 (also referred to as a lowerwalled region). For example, FIG. 2A shows a line bisecting the insert300 to designate the upper region 310 from the lower region 320. Whenthe insert 300 is inserted into the cavity 230, the upper region 310corresponds to a region of the insert 300 near the opening 232 of thecavity 230 (e.g., a mouth of the insert 300). The lower region 320corresponds to a region of the insert 300 that extends to and terminatesat the bottom wall 308 supporting an end of the magazine 30. In someconfigurations, the bottom wall 308 has a width less than the opening232 of the cavity 230. In some examples, the upper region 310 has agenerally rectangular shape (e.g., at the opening 232) allowing abox-style magazine 30 to enter the upper region 310 of the insert 300with minimal interference. With the generally rectangular shape, someoneinserting or removing the magazine 30 (e.g., the wearer 20) should nothave to worry about adjusting (e.g., opening or forming) the upperregion 310 of the insert 300 in order to fit the magazine 30 within theinsert 300.

In some examples, in order to retain the magazine 30 firmly within theinsert 300, the lower region 320 has a shape that biases towards a bodyof the magazine 30. For example, within the lower region 320, one ormore of the sidewalls 306, 306 a-b bow inward (i.e., toward a center ofthe magazine 30 or the center of the cavity 230) such that the sidewalls306 are concave. By bowing inward, the sidewalls 306 increase contactwith the magazine 30 allowing the insert 300 to firmly hold the magazine30 in place within the cavity 230 of the pouch 200. In someimplementations, the insert 300 includes a biasing member 330 in thelower region 320 to help hold the sidewalls 306 against the magazine 30.In these implementations, the biasing member 330 may be an elastic band.As an elastic band, the biasing member 330 may wrap around the lowerregion 320 drawing the sidewalls 306 against the magazine 30. Forexample, the insert 300 with the magazine 30 shown in FIG. 2Billustrates the sidewalls 306 flexing outward (i.e., away from thecenter of the cavity 230) from an original position without the magazine30 in order to accommodate for the magazine 30. This also may ensure thesidewalls 306 stay in contact with the magazine 30 for retentionpurposes. For example, the wearer 20 of the carrier 100 may be in thefield where the magazine retention device 140 experiences additionalstresses and strain based on use of the carrier 100.

In some examples, rather than being a hard-molded insert, the insert 300is formed of a pliable thermoplastic composite (e.g., Tegris®). As athermoplastic composite, the insert 300 is stiff, but lightweight withimpact resistance. In some implementations, as a thermoplastic, theinsert 300 may be formed from various processing techniques such aslaser cutting, die cutting, thermoforming, hydroforming, other forms ofstamping, etc. The processing techniques and/or the properties of thethermoplastic material may also allow the insert 300 to be formed (e.g.,folded) into shape.

In some implementations, portions of the insert 300 are collapsible. Forinstance, when the upper region 310 of the insert 300 has a rectangularopening, the rectangular opening may collapse (e.g., shift into aparallelogram shape) within the cavity 230. In other words, the insert300 may collapse when the insert 300 is empty (i.e., without a magazine30). To illustrate, the wearer 20 may be crawling on his or her stomachsuch that an empty magazine retention device 140 experiences forces fromthe ground and/or weight of the wearer 20. By being collapsible, theempty insert 300 may collapse and prevent extra force or discomfort on,for example, a chest of the wearer 20. Additionally or alternatively, inthese implementations, the lower region 320 may also collapse. In someconfigurations, when the force on the insert 300 is removed, the insert300 may have memory or stiffness such that the insert 300 reforms fromthe collapsed state to a non-collapsed state such that the magazine 30may be placed within the non-collapsed insert 300.

In some implementations, the insert 300 is a single unit. A single unitrefers to either one continuous piece of material or multiple piecessecured together in an irreversible manner to form the insert 300. Here,an irreversible manner means to take apart the secured insert 300 willlikely damage or break the insert 300. In some examples of a singleunit, the upper region 310 and the lower region 320 are part of the samecontinuous wall of the insert 300. For example, the front wall 302, rearwall 304, or sidewalls 306 are continuous walls extending from the upperregion 310 to the lower region 320. As continuous walls, the front wall302 and the rear wall 304 may taper in area from the upper region 310 tothe lower region 320. Referring further to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the insert300 is a single unit where the walls 302-308 are secured together byrivets.

Referring to FIG. 3, in some configurations, the insert 300 is more thanone piece. In some examples, when the insert 300 is more than one piece,each piece may separately secure to a wall forming the cavity 230 (e.g.,the inner surface 210 i of the front panel 210 and/or the outer surface220 o of the rear panel 220). For instance, FIG. 3 illustrates asecurement portion 312 in the upper region 310 and a securement portion322 in the lower region 320. These securement portions 312, 322 alloweach piece of the insert 300 to attach to the inner walls of the cavity230. For example, a securement portion 312, 322 may align with asecurement surface of pouch 200. Although, FIG. 3 depicts the insert 300of more than one piece as two pieces, the insert 300 may be constructedof any number of pieces depending on the design of the magazineretention device 140.

When the insert 300 is more than one piece, the upper region 310 and thelower region 320 may be separate pieces to form the insert 300. Here,the front wall 302 has a first portion 302 a in the upper region 310 anda separate second portion 302 b in the lower region 320. Similarly, theback wall 304 has a first portion 304 a in the upper region 310 and aseparate second portion 304 b in the lower region 320.

In some configurations where the insert 300 is more than one piece, thesidewalls 306, 306 a-b do not extend continuously from the upper region310 to the lower region 320. For example, FIG. 3 depicts the sidewalls306 only within the lower region 320 extending from the bottom wall 308to a top portion 324 of the lower region 320. Furthermore, when theinsert 300 is more than one piece, the upper region 310 lacks a bottomwall 308 in order for the insert 300 to retain the magazine 30 in eachregion 310, 320.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are examples of a cut pattern 400 that forms the insert300 (shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D). The cut pattern 400 includes a first cutpattern 400 a (FIG. 4A) and a second cut pattern 400 b (FIG. 4B). Here,the first cut pattern 400 a forms a front panel 340 of the insert 300(FIG. 4C) and the second cut pattern 400 b forms a rear panel 350 of theinsert 300 (FIG. 4D).

In some examples, each cut pattern 400 includes notches 410. Forexample, the first cut pattern 400 a includes ten notches 410, 410 a-jwhile the second cut pattern 400 b includes six notches 410, 410 k-p.The notches 410 may help each cut pattern 400 to be folded along foldlines 420 to form the walls 302-308 of the insert 300. In someimplementations, each notch 410 has the same or similar shape. Forexample, the notches 410 are shaped as chamfered radii. In otherimplementations, depending on the degree of fold for the fold line 420(e.g., width of fold line 420 w) the notch 410 may vary in shape. Forexample, the notches 410, 410 a-b have a different shape than thenotches 410, 410 c-j (e.g., the notches 410 a-b are deeper than notches410 c-j).

In some configurations, the fold lines 420 (e.g., fold lines 420 a-h)are illustrative of where each cut pattern 400 may be folded. In otherconfigurations, the fold lines 420 may be scored (e.g., by a laser orother cutter) to assist in folding the cut pattern 400 into the insert300. In some examples, the width of the fold line 420 w is proportionalto a depth of a scoring of the fold line 420. In other words, a firstfold line 420 a may be scored deeper than a second fold line 420 bbecause the first fold line 420 a is wider than the second fold line 420b.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the first cut pattern 400 a includes portions thatcorrespond to the sidewalls 306, 306 a-b, the front wall 302, and thebottom wall 308. For example, the first sidewall 306 a is formed betweenthe first fold line 420 a and the second fold line 420 b. The secondsidewall 306 b is formed between a third fold line 420 c and a fourthfold line 420 d. The front wall 302 is formed between the first foldline 420 a, the third fold line 420 c, and a fifth fold line 420 e.

In some implementations, a cut pattern 400 includes at least one tab430. A tab 430 refers to a region of the cut pattern 400 that forms aportion of a wall 302-308. For instance, the first cut pattern 400 aincludes three tabs 430 a-c that form portions of the bottom wall 308 ofthe insert 300. Here, the three tabs 430 a-c overlap with the bottomwall 308 formed from the second cut pattern 400 b to form a portion ofthe bottom wall 308. Similarly, the second cut pattern 400 b includestwo tabs 430 d-e that overlap with the sidewalls 306 of the first cutpattern 400 a (e.g., to secure the front panel 340 to the rear panel350). In some examples, a tab 430 includes a hole 440 to allow the tab430 to be secured to other tabs 430 or portions of a cut pattern 400 bya fastener.

Generally speaking, a hole 440 formed within the cut pattern 400 mayallow a fastener to secure portions of the insert 300 together. Here,the holes 440 may be overlapped during construction of the insert 300 tosecure the front panel 340 from the first cut pattern 400 a to the rearpanel 350 of the second cut pattern 400 b by a fastener (e.g., shown inFIGS. 4C and 4D). In some examples, the fastener used may be a grommetor a rivet. Additionally or alternatively, the fastener may permitdebris or liquid (e.g., water) to drain out of the insert 300. In theseimplementations, a hole 440 for a fastener of the insert 300 may alignwith the drain 218 of the pouch 200.

Referring back to FIG. 4A, edges of the cut pattern 400 a that form thesidewalls 306 may be spaced apart (i.e., not touching) from edges thatform the front wall 302. This spacing allows a first gap 450 a and thesecond gap 450 b to exist between walls 302, 304 and the sidewalls 306as illustrated in FIGS. 4C and 4D. Each gap 450 corresponds to areaswhere the sidewalls 306 are disconnected from the front wall 302 andrear wall 304. By forming these gaps 450, the cut pattern 400 mayfurther enable the collapsibility and/or flexible nature of the insert300.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example method 500 for forming themagazine retention device 140. At operation 502, the method 500 includesreceiving a fabric front panel 210, a fabric rear panel 220, and apliable thermoplastic insert 300. Here, the fabric rear panel 220includes an attachment portion 222 configured to attach to a carrier100. In this method 500 for forming the magazine retention device 140,the pliable thermoplastic insert 300 includes a front wall 302, a firstconcave sidewall 306 a, a second concave sidewall 306 b, a rear wall304, and a bottom wall 308. The first concave sidewall 306 a isconnected to the front wall 302 and extends from an upper walled region310 to a lower walled region 320 where the upper walled region 310includes an opening 232 defining a cavity within the pliablethermoplastic insert 300 configured to receive a magazine 30 while thelower walled region 320 supports an end of the received magazine 30. Thesecond concave sidewall 306 b connects to the front wall 302 oppositethe first concave sidewall 306 a and extends from the upper walledregion 310 to the lower walled region 320. The rear wall 304 opposingthe front wall 302 is secured to each of the first concave sidewall 306a and the second concave sidewall 306 b in the upper walled region 310.The bottom wall 308 is opposite the opening 232 defining the cavitywithin the pliable thermoplastic insert 300 and perpendicularly securesto each of the first concave sidewall 306 a, the second concave sidewall306 b, the front wall 302, and the rear wall 304. Here, in the upperwalled region 310, the opening 232 defining the cavity within thepliable thermoplastic insert 3000 is rectangular shaped and formed bythe front wall 302, the first concave sidewall 306 a, the second concavesidewall 306 b, and the rear wall 304. At operation 504, the method 500secures the fabric front panel 210 to the fabric rear panel 220 to forma pocket 230 between the fabric front panel 210 and the fabric rearpanel 220. At operation 506, the method 500 removable attaches thepliable thermoplastic insert 300 to inner walls of the pocket 230 formedbetween the fabric front panel 210 and the fabric rear panel 220.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are examples of standalone inserts 300 as the magazineretention device 140. A standalone insert 300 refers to an insert 300that is not disposed within the pouch 200. More particularly, thestandalone insert 300 forms the entire magazine retention device 140without use of the pouch 200. Here, instead of the pouch 200 includingthe attachment portions 222 to attach to the carrier 100, the insert 300includes one or more attachment portions 360. Although generally theseattachment portions 360 are shown on a rear wall 304 of the insert 300,the attachment portions 360 may be secured to or formed with any portionor wall of the insert 300. As one such example, the biasing member 330includes an attachment portion 360 to secure to a carrier 100.

FIG. 6A illustrates a webbing channel as an attachment portion 360. Thewebbing channel is secured to the insert 300 in the upper region 310 ofthe rear wall 304 (e.g., by stitching, welding, gluing, etc.). As awebbing channel, the attachment portion 360 may attach to a belt (e.g.,a gun belt) or other securement strap generally perpendicular to theinsert 300. In order to attach to some belts or straps perpendicular tothe insert 300, the webbing channel may be wider than a standard oneinch MOLLE webbing strap (e.g., the webbing channel is two inches inlength 3601).

FIG. 6B is an example of attachment portions 360 for the insert 300 thatmay attach to a PAL system on a carrier 100. Here, the insert 300includes, as attachment portions 360, first attachment portions 360 a aswebbing straps that extend from the upper region 310 of the rear wall304 of the insert 300 (e.g., similar to the attachment portions 222depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B for the pouch 200). In some examples, thefirst attachment portions 360 a include sections of hook or loopfastener to aid attachment to the carrier 100 and/or a looped attachmentextending to the carrier 100 and back to the insert 300. Additionally oralternatively, FIG. 6B depicts the insert 300 including secondattachment portions 360 b in generally the lower region 320 of the rearwall 304 of the insert 300. Here, the second attachment portions 360 bare shown as standard MOLLE webbing straps (e.g., one inch webbing)extending horizontally across the rear wall 304. In some examples, thesesecond attachment portions 360 b allow the webbing straps of the firstattachment portions 360 a or other straps associated with a carrier 100to secure to the insert 300 in the lower region 320. Even though thefirst attachment portions 360 a and the second attachment portions 360 bare shown together, some examples include the first attachment portions360 a or the second attachment portions 360 b individually.

Although FIGS. 6A and 6B show standalone insert designs, other designsnot shown may be possible as well. For instance, the rear wall 304 ofthe insert 300 includes slits or slots as attachment portions 360 suchthat webbing or straps of, for example, a PALS system may be woventhrough the slits or slots to attach the insert 300 to a carrier 100.Depending on the carrier 100 and/or means of attachment, these slots (orslits) may be horizontal slots or vertical slots (e.g., assuming thelength of the rear wall of the insert 300 is a vertical reference). Inother instances, the attachment portion 360 may be one or more hooksthat slide onto the attachment site 130 (e.g., MOLLE webbing or lasercut openings). In some configurations, the insert 300 uses a hybrid ofattachment portions 360 to ensure secure attachment to a carrier 100. Asa hybrid, the insert 300, for example, may include any combination ofhook and loop fastener attachment portion(s), hook attachmentportion(s), webbing attachment portion(s), slotted attachmentportion(s), etc.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A magazine retention device comprising: anattachment pouch including a front panel, a rear panel opposing thefront panel, and an attachment portion, the front panel secured to therear panel forming a cavity between the front panel and the rear panel,the attachment portion configured to attach to a carrier; and an insertdisposed within the cavity and secured to the attachment pouch, theinsert having a first region and a second region, the first regionincluding a rectangular opening configured to receive a magazine, thesecond region including one or more walls that bias toward a center ofthe cavity, the one or more walls biased in contact with a receivedmagazine.
 2. The magazine retention device of claim 1, wherein thesecond region is collapsible when the insert is empty.
 3. The magazineretention device of claim 1, wherein the insert further comprises abiasing member wrapped around the second region of the insert.
 4. Themagazine retention device of claim 1, wherein the rear panel includes anouter wall, the outer wall including a securement surface, the insertattached to the securement surface when the insert is disposed withinthe cavity.
 5. The magazine retention device of claim 1, wherein theinsert is removable from the attachment pouch.
 6. The magazine retentiondevice of claim 1, wherein the attachment pouch further comprises adrainage port.
 7. The magazine retention device of claim 6, wherein theinsert includes a bottom wall with a hole, the hole aligning with thedrainage port of the attachment pouch.
 8. The magazine retention deviceof claim 1, wherein the insert is formed from a folded thermoplasticmaterial.
 9. The magazine retention device of claim 8, wherein theinsert includes a front insert panel and a rear insert panel, the frontinsert panel and the rear insert panel folded and secured to each otherby one or more fasteners.
 10. The magazine retention device of claim 8,wherein the folded thermoplastic material is cut by a laser cutter froma unitary sheet.
 11. The magazine retention device of claim 1, whereinthe attachment portion is a webbing strap compatible with a pouchattachment ladder system (PALS).
 12. The magazine retention device ofclaim 1, wherein the carrier is a modular lightweight load carryingequipment (MOLLE) garment.
 13. An insert for a magazine, the insertcomprising: a front wall; a first sidewall connected to the front walland extending from an upper walled region to a lower walled region, theupper walled region including an opening defining a cavity configured toreceive the magazine, the lower walled region supporting an end of thereceived magazine; a second sidewall connected to the front wallopposite the first sidewall and extending from the upper walled regionto the lower walled region; a rear wall opposing the front wall andsecured to each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall in theupper walled region; and a bottom wall opposite the opening defining thecavity and perpendicularly securing to each of the first sidewall, thesecond sidewall, the front wall, and the rear wall, wherein in the upperwalled region, the opening defining the cavity is rectangular shaped andformed by the front wall, the first sidewall, the second sidewall, andthe rear wall.
 14. The insert of claim 13, wherein each of the frontwall, the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the rear wall, and thebottom wall is formed from a pliable thermoplastic material.
 15. Theinsert of claim 13, wherein the front wall, the first sidewall, and thesecond sidewall are formed by folding a first thermoplastic panel andwherein the rear wall and the bottom wall are formed by folding a secondthermoplastic panel.
 16. The insert of claim 15, wherein the firstthermoplastic panel is secured to the second thermoplastic panel by oneor more fasteners.
 17. The insert of claim 15, further comprising abiasing member wrapped around the first thermoplastic panel and thesecond thermoplastic panel, the biasing member biasing the firstsidewall and the second sidewall towards the cavity.
 18. The insert ofclaim 13, wherein at least one of the front wall or the rear wall taperfrom the upper walled region to the bottom wall in the lower walledregion.
 19. The insert of claim 13, wherein the rectangular shapedopening is collapsible when the insert is empty.
 20. A methodcomprising: receiving a fabric front panel, a fabric rear panel, and apliable thermoplastic insert, the fabric rear panel including anattachment portion configured to attach to a carrier, the pliablethermoplastic insert including: a front wall; a first concave sidewallconnected to the front wall and extending from an upper walled region toa lower walled region, the upper walled region including an openingdefining a cavity within the pliable thermoplastic insert configured toreceive a magazine, the lower walled region supporting an end of thereceived magazine; a second concave sidewall connected to the front wallopposite the first concave sidewall and extending from the upper walledregion to the lower walled region; a rear wall opposing the front walland secured to each of the first concave sidewall and the second concavesidewall in the upper walled region; and a bottom wall opposite theopening defining the cavity within the pliable thermoplastic insert andperpendicularly securing to each of the first concave sidewall, thesecond concave sidewall, the front wall, and the rear wall, wherein inthe upper walled region, the opening defining the cavity within thepliable thermoplastic insert is rectangular shaped and formed by thefront wall, the first concave sidewall, the second concave sidewall, andthe rear wall; securing the fabric front panel to the fabric rear panelto form a pocket between the fabric front panel and the fabric rearpanel; and removably attaching the pliable thermoplastic insert to innerwalls of the pocket formed between the fabric front panel and the fabricrear panel.